When we set out to lose some weight one of the first things we normally do, be it only a couple of pounds or more, is to get a subscription with a gym. In theory, together with a more balanced diet, should help us lose the pounds and tone our body in a relatively short period of time. However some expert says, if cardio is what we’re hoping will help us in our endeavor, we should perhaps shift our attention towards the weight-lifting area, since we’re more likely to get even fatter than the other way around.

It has been pointed out that running on the treadmill or sweating it out on the rowing machine is two of the most common exercises with women who are trying to lose weight. The majority of them shun the weight-lifting area on the basis that it builds unaesthetic muscles, thus depriving their body of all traces of femininity – yet, they are not aware that it is, in fact, this type of exercise that promotes weight loss the most. Women also believe that if they sweat a lot during cardio, they’re bound to lose more pounds, but are oblivious to the fact that cardio exercises actually burn less calories than weight lifting.

Weight training is having better results than with other exercises because cardio can break down lean tissue as the body is attempting to generate energy to keep up the pace. This, in turn, slows down the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), meaning the rate at which calories are burned decreases. While, resistance exercises such as weight lifting, build up lean tissue, thus boosting BMR. The yo-yo dieting effect (which is certain to appear once we stop going to the gym for our daily hour of cardio) will thus no longer make its presence felt and we will lose weight but, at the same time keep our body toned and fit.

However, if the gym implies too much of an effort, then there’s the more convenient option of walking for at least half an hour every day. Simply walking won’t seem like a proper workout, but it will bring about the same results, while also helping us unwind from a long day at work or at home. Long lasting weight reduction will only be achieved by a change in the balance between food intake and energy expenditure.

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